What could be the most significant game the Nationals play this season — Stephen Strasburg and the red-hot Nats vs. Tim Hudson and the wild-card-leading Braves — could be affected by something totally out of both teams' control: the weather.

The forecast, plain and simple, does not look good. There's a 100 percent of rain until 7 p.m., then a 40 percent chance from 7-8 p.m., a 15 percent chance from 8-9 p.m., then a 90 percent chance the rest of the night. Is that enough of a window to get this game in? I don't know.

Then again, we all remember how bad the forecast looked a couple weeks ago for Strasburg's return from Tommy John surgery. And they wound up playing the full game. So who knows?

I'll do my best to update everyone along the way, so please check back throughout the afternoon and evening…

I'd hold Stras out right now. MLB has control of the game and they are going to play. As much as I would love to see this match up,I am willing to wait. I remember way back in 2007 when the Nats played the Padres in a heavy mist. Zimmerman hit a ball into the upper deck of RFK off David Wells. It was lousy playing conditions and Manny Acta was more concerned about someone getting hurt than he was about winning the game. I'd put in Lambardozzi at short, Cora at third, and Morra at first. This is a perfect time for Livo. Why not. Prudent is the better part of valor.

I know we are suppose to focus on tonights game against the Braves and another start (hopefully) from Strasburg but please allow me one more thought on Brad Peacock. As I've watched his first two starts and watch his delivery from the CF camera I can't help but notice his uniform #41 and think about what a former #41 did for a Mets franchise that had struggled for years. I'm not saying that Peacock is going to be another Tom Seaver but I can certainly hope, pray and dream that he too has a long and successful career. In a Nationals uniform of course!

NatsLady said…We've had our share of one-sided trades…Clippard for who?Jonathan Albada-homina-homina, I believe. Always hard to look at trades in hindsight, because we lose a proper sense of how important the performance of Capps was at the time. Did he make the difference between going to the playoffs or not? If he was the final straw that did it, that might be worth $3-5m to the Twins. Plus, in this particular case, if Mauer never develops physical problems and catches 130 games a year, they still might not care. The part that the Twins missed (imo) is Ramos's improvement. Not sure many people saw this coming. I love the guy, but even last year when he came up, I still figured Norris would be the catcher that we would build around. Then, by the spring of this year, Ramos was one of the guys taken in ESPN's Top 30 draft (I forget what it was called, but where sportswriters got to choose any guy in the league to start their team). But yeah, I liked it at the time and love it now.Hey, another Ram-Moose guy. Definitely better than the Buffalo, imo.

Dawn said… Since Oswalt joined the Phillies (a good team) he has re-gained his mojo, didn't seem to be very inspired his last couple of years with the Astros (not a good team). Wandy may be worth a few prospects, he has talent and could be "inspired" by joining a talented staff that includes Strasburg & J.Zimmermann. Then again,the Nats already have a similar pitcher who is 6 years younger in John Lannan. September 23, 2011 4:07 PM See, people look at the last "feel good" moment and forget the 5 starts before that.John Lannan in June 2011 vs Sept 2011. 2 different guys. John Lannan overall with a high 3's ERA is about a 1/4 run higher than Wandy Rodriguez. Lannan is a 1.487 WHIP vs Wandy at 1.300. Wandy also pitches in a hitter's ballpark. Best of all is how well Wandy pitches against the Marlins.Here's the HUGE difference. This year Lannan has only averaged 5 1/2 innings per start and Wandy has averaged 6 1/2 innings per start so that is the bigger difference between the 2. I still think Lannan is a #4 and Wandy projects as a #3. Lannan is much younger so hopefully he will continue to improve. Through mid-August, Lannan had improved to a solid #3 and slightly better and since then has fallen back to a #4.Best scenario is add a solid #3, be it Wandy or someone else, so Milone and Peacock can continue to improve in AAA.

Stew Magnuson said…There is also a .001 percent chance of a de-orbiting NASA satellite crashing into the park. I'm bringing an umbrella and a Kevlar helmet.———————-We've checked our calculations and — the way the Braves' luck has been running — we think you're safe so long as you're not sitting in their dugout or bullpen.

Michelle S, got it. I can't find my tickets so I will see if they are will call or if they can be re-printed. I'll look for you! I'll be wearing my Hernandez jersey.And Knoxville — I was talking about the Seaver uni number last night, too! May our instincts about the kid be right on the money.Headed down now. We will see what happens, but I like the idea of putting out Livan and holding Stras for tomorrow.GYFNG!

Steve M…. I feel the same about Lannan…. those constant 2-0 counts every inning….8 hits in 5 innings….45 pitches by the end of the second inning…. he's been a bull pen killer for the past 2 months.On another note, I only got to watch 4 innings of todays Fl. Instructional League game with the Braves today but Sammy Solis was perfect for his two innings facing only 6 hitters, no hits, no walks and 2 K's.On the flip side the Braves started somebody named Tommy Hanson and he got lit up in his two innings…. 5 runs, 6 hits including a jack by Mike Taylor and a real bomb from Randolph Oduber. The baby Nats didn't dress any of the draft picks for this game (except Deione Williams). I saw Bryce Harper doing some light running along with Anthony Rendon.Danny Goodwin looks like he could use some physical maturing and Alex Meyer is huge.The Nats are in Vero Beach tomorrow morning to play either the national Chinese team ot Italy, whoever is based there this year.

JaneB, and all: we had this discussion last time there were rainy conditions and Stras pitched. They want him to start again on Wednesday and that won't happen if he doesn't go tonight. What I do hope is that they don't get him warmed up and pitch one pitch and then have a long rain delay, and he's shut down. That is the worst of both worlds. Same for Hudson (on the Braves' side). If there is enough window for five innings, Stras will pitch.

re: Lannan. A few good starts over the course of a season don't do it for me either. We have other lefties that could have a good shot at the rotation or go for Wandy. I say, as I said before, trade Lannan, give him a fresh start in some other division or the AL. He's a 4 or 5 in someone's rotation and if he gets more consistent, fine, good for that team and their pitching coach.

NatsJack in Florida said… "Steve M…. I feel the same about Lannan…. those constant 2-0 counts every inning….8 hits in 5 innings….45 pitches by the end of the second inning…. he's been a bull pen killer for the past 2 months."A lot of his career has been like that. A very frustrating pitcher to watch.

SteveM, I think you hit it on Lannan. The fact he barely gets into the 6th inning while Jordan Zimmmermann and Wandy Rodriguez get you (with much better ERA) into the 7th inning is where this team has to focus.Then you have your dream bullpen of 7th inning set-up(TBD) to Clip to Storen as you have said was the key to the Braves (until recently).When your starter has you through 6 full and sometimes into the 7th inning, you have options with your 7th inning setup or situational pitchers to get you through the 7th inning.

Ray Knight says Davey likes 6 starters for next year. Anyone know if Davey is proposing a 6 man rotation for the Nats. Someone suggested that as a way to get Strasburg into September.Does that mean a 6 man bullpen or 1 man short on the bench?

Just saw "Moneyball" – awesome movie. You have got to see it – and after you do, I want to discuss the relationship between Rizzo and Riggs again with anyone who sees the movie. Insight galore.The rest of you can ignore it or go see the movie – which you should.

Hard to imagine a 6 man rotation as a reality outside of September baseball. Interestingly if you did the 6 man rotation it gets Strasburg 6 completed innings on average through the entire season on 162 innings. How do you like that math?Add to that adjusting the rotation after the All Star break and maybe some tandem starts in September and you get Strasburg starts into the post-season.The other advantage is Detwiler seems to do much better on 6 days rest and could be a starter in that configuration. I think Lannan would also pitch better on 6 days rest.

Well, not the start I was expecting. Strasburg got hit hard there, and didn't have his normal command. Which is to be expected at this stage of coming back from TJ. I also think FP is right that maybe he was signaling something, since some of those change ups were tagged.

Huh Davey? said… Ray Knight says Davey likes 6 starters for next year. Anyone know if Davey is proposing a 6 man rotation for the Nats. Someone suggested that as a way to get Strasburg into September.Does that mean a 6 man bullpen or 1 man short on the bench?——————HELL NO! these wips already only go 5 innings as it is. They are not using 35 man rosters nxt year are they? No Cance no way they use a 6 man Rotation

I'm finally getting to see Strasburg pitch, and he is having trouble hitting his spots….Mark, I'm just not seeing the Umpire's Strike zone as much different for either pitcher. Zimm struck out on a strike, IMO there was no question about it. Just sayin.

On Frank Howard – not sure why they club and Frank have been unable to reach an agreement on a relationship, but they are obviously saving a place for him – in addition to the statue in the centerfield plaza, and the Frank Howard bobblehead last year (or the year before? I forget), no player has worn number 33 since the club moved from Montreal to DC. Maybe if the Loudon Hounds replace the P-Nats as the team's high-A affiliate, he'll get called up eventually. I think they just need to make it happen.

Living here in Knoxville MASN gets blacked out when the Nats play either the Braves or the Reds and a such I watch the games on whatever network carries those two teams. For all those complaining about Carp and/or FP let me tell you listening to Chip Carey and Joe Simpson just isn't any treat. nails on a chalk board sounds better.

Strasburg getting good results but really doesn't have his command tonight. Could be the mound isn't helping. Both pitchers seem uncomfortable with it. Also isn't at normal velocity. 96 is the highest I recall seeing, and numerous 93s. I am not saying it is something to worry about. Could be that he is throwing a lot of two seamers.

Late to the party (as usual). Will have to watch Strasburg's innings tomorrow on the archive. Did he have a proper warm-up with the weather conditions? Not that it matters, it's likely to rain next year.

NatsLady – seemed so. I suspect that he just didn't have it tonight, although the muddy mound clearly seemed to annoy him. 30 some-odd pitches to get through the first. He wasn't helped by the D and there were a couple borderline pitch calls, but he was hit hard too. Pretty much nothing after that, though.

ouch – let's talk about the presidents race instead. Since the Nats turned a page on their history in Philly, Jason seemed like he was going to take matters into his own hands and put an end to the Teddy losing BS.

So sick of Uggla standing right up on the plate and just wearing us out. All year opposing teams have plunked Michael Morse. When is somebody gonna stick a fastball right on Uggla's left elbow? One of those where you hear the "smack!"Looked like Stra watched the rain all day and thought we weren't gonna play……then all of a sudden he was on the mound losing 3-0. 93-95 is a whole lot different than 98-100. That weak flare to shallow right turns into a burner to left center. I would shut him down for the year if I was Davey

Adam Dunn has more K's than his average? 168 to 164. Wow…..jeeez. Another good move by Rizzo. What if you are the GM of the Sox…..do you wake up evry night in a cold sweat, knowing that you threw 60 million dollars into the fireplace?

Big Cat, Bally may have cost us this game. Reliever is NOT supposed to come in and walk guys, I'm sorry. (Except Henry, and that's way different. Bally doesn't have the stuff to get away with walks.) Oh, boy, a Mayan adventure. Guess Davey wants to win tomorrow.

Anon @10:31, yes, you are right on that. He didn't think (neither did I). Trying to remember he's only 24 and he really fooled Prado on a slider I didn't know he had.Fortunately, it wasn't the difference in the game.

Its one thing to lose. But to stand there and watch and pitch go right down the middle in the ninth is shameful. Even more shameful than letting a ball go thru your legs in the furst inning. Awful game Ryan Zimmerman. Youve had a few this year.

Observations – the Braves might make it into the postseason after all, but will their pitching hold up? Hudson looked dinged up, their relievers are young and while they are still great, they have made tons of appearances and are starting to show it. Next – in our dugout, Livo is really an animated cheerleader pretty much all the time, Pudge always looks like he is thinking – nice to see him in the game, and Jordan looks very sad and lost. Finally – 5 games to go and the sentiment is kicking in — Our team is a classy bunch of guys – 100% effort all season, win or lose. You never see attitudes out there, teammate conflicts, breaking things. My impression would be ( without looking it up, if you even can) that we have had very few ejections, maybe a pitcher who hit someone and the ump made an example. But,for the most part, you have got to be proud of the way this team conducts itself and represents our area. No more Nyger/Flop/Lastings -type antics. The young guys carry themselves in a very mature way — there have been times in the past where I have been embarassed by a player ( see above names) but not this season.

Swami– well, Clipp breaks things, but only when he gives up a home run. Agree, this is a fine bunch of young guys. Didn't glimpse Jordan, but it is hard to be out of it for the last month. As for the vets: Will miss Pudge a lot. Hope we can keep Livo. Jayson starting to show why we paid big $$ for him, next year he should be just fine. (We paid too much, yes, but he will be good for us, always thinking, always helping out other guys.) You have to pay the $$ for RZ, but he is not perfect. Stras also, hey, if it rains or the mound isn't perfect–suck it up (they can't fire me for saying that, can they?).

(Preposting alert)Not a bad thing for SS to experience some adversity, imo. Builds character and all that. Seems like maybe the hoopla is dying down some, too. If so, maybe now he can just play his game without the added pressure of the big spotlight. That would be a good thing, (again, imo). In other news, nice work on the Pudge ovation, people. Hope to have the opportunity to do that for Livo when I'm at the park today and tomorrow.Also, a tip of the cap to Werth for his efforts as regards the presidents race (or, and the dinger, too). Atta way. And Maya? Kinda surprised me there. Atta boy.

(Another prepost alert): Forgot to mention McCatty's talking about the wave in an interview that aired before last night's game. It was in the context of Peacock's being distracted by the rally towels in Philly. McCatty referenced when the wave first started up in Oakland, and how distracting it was. If memory serves, he waited to deliver his pitch until the wave crested, as it were. Maybe he should talk to the Nats Pack or whatever they're called about not encouraging it – or at least not when *our* pitcher is on the bump. WTH??

Sorry to be late getting back to you all.Baseballswami is right, "Moneyball" is an awesome movie that you all should see. Being written by Aaron Sorkin, it has a bit of "Social Network" feel to it, by which I mean it's a gripping and exciting movie about people who talk to each other a lot. Brad Pitt is very good as Billy Beane. As far as I can recall, it pretty much stays close to the book–with the huge exception that Paul Podesta, who talked Beane into going into the moneyball direction, has become "Peter Brand." I understand that Podesta didn't want somebody playing him, so he has a different name and body shape in this movie. (Jonah Hill as Peter Brand is also very good.)When the game's over today, go to your favorite local cinema and check it out.

Thanks, Dave and Swami. Will check the local listings and try to talk my hubby into going, perhaps next weekend. This weekend will be busy, with a "gals' day out" at today's game and my husband joining me for tomorrow's game.

Re RZimm: Why is it that Carpenter always says he is looking for "his" pitch? As he strikes out with a pitch down the middle of the plate? Why not just react to the pitch being thrown? That's how I observed the Braves get to a 3 run first inning. As they kept their eyes on the pitch and swung where the ball was coming over the plate. Too many 0-2 counts as the Nats batters "wait" for their pitch.Last night was a pretty sloppy game defensively. But Balestar walking two? On eight pitches? Hasn't Davy seen enough of these guys to know what's going to happen?76 wins is pretty much what was expected this year. Hopefully with the baseball gods on the Nats side, they'll make it to 80 (crossing my fingers)?GYFNG!!!